Southgate, Greater London

Oakwood park

I was born in Southgate in 1938 and lived near Oakwood Park until my teens. In the early years we were often taken to the Park to play on the swings etc. I remember the boating pond, and the tea house where, when the war had ended, we were able to buy ice creams which were delicious! Later on... [more]

growing up in Southgate

We moved to Southgate from Muswell Hill when I was 3.  I remember going into Lees Stores (I think that was the name of the shop) in Chase Side where we needed ration books to buy sweets.  I went to St Andrews primary school which was very old and rather frightening! For Junior school I went to Eversley Junior School and... [more]

1/10d a pint

The Cherry Tree was my main watering hole as I had so many friends in the area. Stan Chrees from Oakleigh Road, Bernard Downes, Edwin Hodson, to name but a few. Oh the days before mindless fruit machines, when pubs were for drinking and making friends.

The beer was good, but the Old Forge restaurant was superb. A real posh... [more]

re: Southgate swimming pool and Halliwick

The 'crippled' school was on the corner where Green Lanes becomes Ridge Avenue. Coming from Palmers Green and Winchmore Hill Green Dragon Lane [where my family moved to in 1955] runs off to the left and another road ran alongside of the school. We left the area in 1960/61 and the school was still there then. Do you remember the garden... [more]

Southgate swimming club

Hi, I'm writing about Southgate Seals Swimming Club and the Halliwick School for Crippled Girls. Can you help me?

North London Photographic Memories

Later 19th-century buildings can be seen in the photograph extending along Chase Side, and away towards Cockfosters, but it is the building on the extreme right which catches the eye. Its shop front, and indeed its whole demeanour, almost shout reliability and good solid service. Unfortunately, flashy cuckoos have taken over the High Street nest.

Enfield - A History & Celebration

This grandeur is not what one usually associates with hospital treatment. Although there had been some kinds of industry in Enfield in medieval times, for instance the flour mill, Enfield's first real factory did not start its working life until 1816. This was the Royal Small Arms Factory. Its birth was due to the unsatisfactory situation of the previous 100 years, when the governments of the day were mostly supplied... [more]

North London Photographic Memories

Taking its name from the south gate to Enfield Chase, and overlooking the Lea Valley, Southgate was a part of Edmonton until the late 19th century. Development began in around 1870 with the arrival of the Great Northern Railway, but it was the arrival of the Piccadilly Line in 1933 that produced mass housing. Although the original village green is away... [more]